Carthage Men in History

William H. Phelps
1845–1916

1845: Born in rural Hinsdale NY 1850s-1867 Schooled in Olean NY; studied law at Cuba NY later attending law school in Albany NY, graduating in 1866

1867: Came to Carthage and established law practice

1868: Married Miss Lois Wilson at Northfield OH; Mrs. Phelps died 1894 (Three children were born; one daughter preceded her father in death.)

1868: Became Chairman of Jasper County Democratic Committee

1868: Acquired acreage in the vicinity of Grand Avenue; built a home and developed extra property into lots for residential use

1872: Delegate to Democratic National Convention; attended almost every national convention until his death

1874: Elected to Missouri Legislature (House of Representatives)

1875: Shot by James Hardin

1876: James Hardin killed in streets; Phelps and his brother Charles tried for murder and acquitted

1878: Became lawyer for the San Francisco & St. Louis Railroad (Frisco RR) and continued this work until 1886

1888: Became lawyer for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad and continued this work until 1909; was responsible for getting Iron Mountain Railroad from Carthage to Stone County

1893: Along with Thomas Connor of Joplin, built the waterworks for Van Buren AR; held his interest in business until 1913

1897: Built new Carthage limestone residential structure at 1164 Grand

1905: Became one of the first automobile owners in Carthage

1905: Married Miss Bridget O'Leary of Chicago IL (Two children were born, one son preceded his father in death)

c. 1900: Built farm property now known as "Maple Lane Farms" NE of Carthage; listed on National Register of Historic Places

1910 & 1912: Elected to Missouri Legislature (House of Representatives); among the various bills Phelps introduced was a measure in 1911 that required industrial employers to pay their employees at least twice a month

1911-1915: Involved in promotion of Jersey cows within Jasper County; gave cows to farmer groups to encourage production of the breed. Long active in the Jasper County Dairy Assn.

c. 1912: Sold farm northeast of Carthage and purchased property now in vicinity of River and Airport Drive; established Jersey and Holstein dairy farm called "Meadowmere"

1914: Elected to Missouri Senate

1916: Died and buried in Park Cemetery

1958: Phelps Home sold to St. Ann's Catholic Church

1987-88: Carthage Historic Preservation buys Phelps House and develops it into historic house used for social and community functions

Mr. Phelps was an investor in many industries and businesses in Carthage and a generous benefactor to many individuals and churches of all denominations.

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